Information Centre

To be able to print your order, we need your design/template.Please read the information below:

Upload your own stationery design.- FREE First, select the item you would like to order (eg. Duplicate NCR Pads) then you will be asked to upload your design. We accept most file types. We are PC based and recommend saving your files to a minimum of 600dpi (dots per inch) to maximise print quality.

Let us design your stationery for you. Our Bespoke Design Service means we can design your stationery from scratch to your exact requirements. First, select the item you would like to order (eg. Duplicate NCR Pads) then you will be able to select the price for Bespoke Design. Once you have placed the order a member of our design team will contact you to discuss your exact requirements.

Send us a hard copy or original in the post. If you only have a hard copy or original for your printing please call first before ordering. Online ordering is not currently available for this option but we can take your order over the phone.

Uploading Your Artwork Design

If you would like to upload your own artwork design for us to print from please read the following information carefully. We are PC based and use the Windows XP operating system.We accept artwork designs in the following formats:

PDF files - our prefered format

Corel Draw files

Word files

Excel files

Publisher files

TIFF files

JPEG files

PSD files

PNG files

Technical Information

Whether you are a budding designer or seasoned professional we want your files to print like you meant them to. It can be a bit complicated setting up a file for print, especially if you have not done it before, there is a lot you need to know. Read through this guide before you start your file and it should print like a dream.

If you wish to send your artwork for us to use, please read through the following information to avoid problems with your order.

RESOLUTION - In general we recommend files (including any images) to be set at 600dpi (dots per inch) to have the best chance of printing at its best. Lower resolution files may appear fuzzy, distorted or pixellated. Please bear in mind, most images found on the web are only 72dpi and are therefore unsuitable for professional printing.

COLOURS - Files for one colour printing must be in black ink (greyscale is also acceptable). Files for full colour printing must be CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) for colours to print accurately. Files that are sent RGB (red, green blue), Pantone, or spot colours will be automatically converted to CMYK which may cause some changes to your colours. It is also important to be aware that files converted from RGB to CMYK may alter the colour composition of the file. If your order is colour critical please send a hard copy in the post. You must also give us clear warning at the time of ordering if the order is colour critical. We will endeavour to match your colours to the best of our ability given the technical restaint of our equipment.

FONTS - If we do not have the font you have used, it may be automatically substituted for an alternative font. To avoid this happening, please embed or make sure all fonts are converted to curves in your document before sending us the final artwork.

BLEEDS - Bleed is used to extend an image, colour or line right to the edge of the finished printed piece. For example, if you want your business card background to be entirely blue, you must bleed the blue colour past the edge of the final size of the business card. This prevents a white line down one or more edges of your print, caused by very slight variations in printing and cutting. Please include at least 3mm bleed on each side of your artwork.

TEXT - Any text must be at least 5mm away from the edge of your Business Card design. 10mm is the minimum for all other stationery items. We strongly recommend you do not use very small text - especially small script text.

HAIRLINES - When using lines within your design we strongly recommend not using lines less than 0.5 point.

CROP MARKS - All files must have crop marks (cutting marks) clearly shown so we know exactly where we need to cut. Please ensure that you do not supply your files imposed or as "printers pairs" - we have our own imposition software which will impose your files correctly for our printing processes.

IMAGES - When supplying us with an artwork design please ensure you have authorisation and copyright to use an image. We cannot be held responsible for problems with image copyright of your design and our involvment with the order will be for printing only.

FURTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION - If you are unsure about any of the points listed above, please do not hesitate to call us on (0191) 469 9949. Our friendly designers will be happy to clarify any issues you may have.

GO GREEN & CHOOSE RECYCLED PAPER / CARD

More and more companies are recognising the importance of their corporate social responsibility and switching to recycled paper and card. With rapid advances in paper and card technology over the last few years recycled stock no longer significantly compromises on quality.

We have selected 9lives offset as our standard recycled stock. 9lives Offset is manufactured from 100% recycled fibre and offers outstanding consistency with an excellent sheet formation. With its high white shade, high bulk and exceptional opacity, 9lives Offset is the perfect choice for environmentally friendly printing. We are able to offer this superb paper in both 100gm. and 120gm. weights. The 9lives recycled card is available in a 350gm. weight. Please contact us to arrange free samples of our recycled paper and card.

Recycled paper and card is now so good that your customers may not even realise the commitment to the environment you have made. We are happy to add the correct recycled logo to your stationery if you require.

Our site allows you to choose recycled stock for all items except NCR printing orders. As soon as NCR paper becomes available as a recycled paper we will offer you this option.

Bespoke Design

We have a professional in-house design studio which would be delighted to help with any design requirements you may have. Our designers have vast experience and are more than capable of designing stationery to a very professional level. Our prices for design are very competitive and include a free proof prior to printing. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ink Colours

ONE COLOUR ORDERS - Please see the list below which shows the ink colours we use.

*Please request a sample pack if you would like to see an accurate match for ink colours. This screen representation for the ink colours may not be accurate and is for approximate representation purposes only.

FULL COLOUR ORDERS - We use digital technology for the majority of our full colour orders. This means we are unable to offer metallic and day-glow ink when printing in full colour.

V.A.T. (value added tax)

Most of our customers are businesses and therefore V.A.T. (value added tax) registered, so it makes sense to show our prices excluding V.A.T. You'll need to add it, except for leaflets and menus which are zero rated for V.A.T. purposes. If you are a registered charity and have a Charity Advertising Certificate, you may also qualify for zero-rating on certain items. See www.hmrc.gov.uk for full details.

Payment

Full payment by credit or debit card is required when you order. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa Debit, Visa Electron and Solo payments. We make no surcharges if you use a credit card. You will be issued with a V.A.T. invoice for the goods you order. All payments go through our secure online payment gateway (Sage Pay) and are a completely safe.

Delivery is free

All orders are delivered free of charge to UK addresses

We deliver to mainland and non-mainland UK addresses only at this time.

Non mainland UK addresses may on occassions take slightly longer to deliver.

All deliveries require your signature when they arrive. Once your order is ready for despatch we will inform you by email. Please note we do not deliver on a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday.

On receipt of your goods, please open the parcel carefully and check the contents. In the unlikely event there is a problem with the order, please contact us immediately.

Turnaround Times

We have two production speeds:

STANDARD Production Speed - No extra charge!Our standard production speed means we will despatch your printing order within 6 business days*

EXPRESS Production SpeedOur express production speed means we will rush through your order and despatch within 3 business days*. This service entails a 20% premium to our standard printing prices (minimum charge £19.95)

* orders need to be placed by you (and accepted by us) by 10.00am Monday to Friday for this to count as the first business day. Once we receive your order we will email you an order confirmation. Production speeds assume an artwork design is supplied by you in an acceptable format for us to use. If you request our Bespoke Design Service then time will commence once you have signed off the artwork design as ready to print.

Smiley Print Quality Guarantee

Every piece of printing we undertake is a unique manufactured product, tailored to the particular requirements of the customer. One company's business cards are of no use to another company. That makes a "no quibble" refund policy impossible. However, we still want you to be delighted with the product you receive. So we offer a "fair play" guarantee:

We will always offer you the option of a proof at no extra charge

If we make a mistake in following your instructions or if we make an error in your printing which is our fault we will correct the error at our expense.

We will print your work to a good commercial standard.

We will attend to any complaint promptly and professionally and will deal with it in good faith. We will agree to submission of any unresolved dispute to arbitration, or outside moderation or verification. We will make every attempt to offer you satisfaction without being unnecessarily defensive. We always play fair!

Quotations

We would be delighted to quote for any stationery requirements you may have. Our website offers 1,500 live prices. If you require a quote for an item not listed, please call us on (0191) 469 9949 or email sales@smileyprint.co.uk and we will respond promptly with a competitive quotation. We are more than happy to quote for any of the following:

Posters (including large format)

Raffle Tickets

Post Cards

Questionnaires

Booklets

Envelopes

Pamphlets

Brochures

Forms

Continuation Sheets

Appointment Cards

Tent Cards

Rubber Stamps

Paper & Card supplies

and a whole lot more!

Print Re-Sellers (trade customers)

We currently provide printing for many print re-sellers based throughout the UK. Our price structure is so competitive, meaning there is scope for a significant mark-up on our prices. We are able to despatch goods directly to customers under plain labels and are able to give great service, advice and expertise at all times. Please feel free to give us a call to discuss your requirements.

Ask the Experts

If you have any queries or questions regarding the printing sector please do not hesitate to call us on (0191) 469 9949 or enquiries@smileyprint.co.uk. We have a wealth of experience and know the printing industry inside out. We will be more than happy to provide expert help and support at all times and you will find our team friendly and courteous. Its free and its all part of the service!